The N.C. Health and Wellness Trust Fund (HWTF) announced
the award of a $39,290 tobacco use prevention and cessation grant to
The University of North Carolina at Pembroke. The grant is part of the first
state-funded effort to prevent and reduce tobacco use among college-age
youth
in the state.

As part of this initiative, a total of $1.6 million was awarded over two
years to 20 colleges, community colleges, health departments and organizations
across the state. UNCP will work to establish smoke-free policies on campus
and to promote the new, “Tobacco Use Quitline” (1-800-QUIT-NOW)
to 18-24 year olds. By awarding these grants, HWTF is addressing the trend
of increased tobacco use among this age group.

Tobacco use continues to be the leading cause of preventable death in the
U.S. and North Carolina. Despite this fact, according to Center for Disease
Control, almost 28 percent of college-age youth in North Carolina smoke,
and 18-24 year olds represent the only age group nationally in which smoking
rates are rising rather than falling. Young adults aged 18-25 continue to
have the highest rate of current use of a tobacco product among all age groups.

“Our campus’s goal is to examine tobacco use, perceptions, and
policies, then develop an action plan to educate students on the health
consequences of tobacco addiction and its impact on the community,” said
Dr. Monica Osburn, director of UNCP’s Counseling and Testing Center. “We
will also promote tobacco cessation among our students.”

Dr. Osburn, who initiated the grant, said tobacco use is a national problem,
and “one that is prominent right here on our campus. We need to do
whatever it takes to reach students and educate them as well as assist them
to fight this rising health crisis.”

The N.C. Health and Wellness Trust Fund aids North Carolina by funding programs
that promote preventive health. Created by the General Assembly in 2000 to
allocate a portion of North Carolina's share of the national tobacco settlement,
the fund has invested $127 million to support preventive health initiatives
and $78 million to fund a prescription drug assistance program. For more
information, please visit www.HealthWellNC.com.

For questions about UNCP’s tobacco cessation program, please call
the Counseling and Testing Center at 910.521.6202 or email monica.osburn@uncp.edu.